Investigators say a smoldering cigarette caused the fire that destroyed a 448-square-foot outbuilding Friday afternoon in Salmon Creek.
The cigarette was discarded in a planter outside the window of the building, part of which was used as a guest bedroom, according to the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office. After the planter caught on fire, the flames spread up into the bedroom. The people who live on the property in a nearby house were away on vacation at the time and had a house sitter looking after the property, fire marshals said.
A neighbor reported the fire to 911 at 12:43 p.m. When firefighters arrived to 213 N.W. 132nd St., the building was already severely damaged, according to Sarah Mitchelson, a spokeswoman for Fire District 6.
Damage to the outbuilding and its contents was estimated at $30,000, according to the fire marshal’s office. The radiant heat damage to the house, which is about six feet away from the shed, was estimated at $18,000.
